Saturday, October 30, 2010

A week or two ago I went on a date. As my date and I were talking he asked me a very interesting question.

"What's your favorite thing about Cedar?" he asked.

And he was serious.

Honestly, I didn't know what to say. At that moment I could only think of all the things I hate about Cedar. Like how there's only one and half decent radio stations. And how it's always outrageously windy here. And how the running here sucks (everywhere you run is uphill; there's no avoiding it). And how Lin's (the local grocery store) no longer gives SUU students the 10% off discount.

And to tell you the truth, I can't remember what I told him was my favorite thing. Because I could not for the life of me think of one.

However, I have since pondered this question and, as of today, I have a few things to add to my "Why I (for some weird reason) Really Do Love Cedar" List. Here they are:

This morning I woke up, threw on my running shoes and went running (yes, up several large hills today...no wonder my calves are so awesome). Now, on any given day I might see a tractor or two on my run. But today I saw like 15. I was a little surprised by this outrageous number until I got to main street and saw this:

Yes, in the hickishness that is Cedar they have an annual Livestock and Heritage Festival. As a part of the celebrations (?) they herd a mass of nearly 1,000 sheep more than two miles down main street. Sure, it creates hell for anyone wanting to drive somewhere, but who cares? At least we are all getting an opportunity to get "a glimpse into the Old West."

But seriously. A sheep parade? Who would've thought? It's so ridiculously random that it just works. Disclaimer: Cedar is nothing like Lehi. As many of you know, Lehi is overrun with sheep. This morning was my first time seeing a sheep in Cedar. So, really, Lehi is a way more hickish town than Cedar is by a long shot.

After my lovely sheep-filled run I showered and then my roomie, Amanda and I headed over to Lin's to purchase some items while not receiving a discount. After our groceries were in the car we started to drive home. But then we remembered the Ye Olde Catholic Thrift Shoppe.

We have been wanting to visit here for some time but they close at 4 so we never really had a good chance. But today we remembered and it was around noon, so we had plenty of time. Who knew what kind of wondrous things we'd find. I got two sweaters, two coats and a skirt. And all of that was only $5 total. (If I get bored I'll take pics of the finds and post them here.) Anyone who knows me knows that I love second hand stores (mostly because they are super cheap. Plus if you don't get anything good, at least you get a good laugh for the items that are there...meaning that at some point in time, someone actually wore it). But this one was pretty dang fantastic. And it is definitely on my favorites list. I would even go so far as to say that it's better than Cedar's DI. I know. Crazy. But true.

Another thing that Cedar does a pretty good job on, is it's sunsets. Seriously. Can't get better than this:

Friday, October 8, 2010

I has been awhile since we compared our two lovely educational institutions: BYU and SUU. I figured that another comparison was loonnng overdue. So, here we are, examining yet again.

It is a common known fact that college campuses across the United States are used for a lot of things outside the realm of continued education and learning. Campuses are used by non-student/faculty people for forums, meetings, reunions, conventions, symposiums, parties, and concerts. These non-student/faculty people are more than welcome on campuses. I mean, heck, it's their tax dollars (or tithing money) that goes toward making campuses even better, right? However, I believe the majority of college students/faculty would agree when I say that there's one group of people we'd rather not see on campus.

And that group is high schoolers. (duhn DuhnDUHN!!!! *screams*)

And the thing is that I don't even have to explain. Just that title gives enough explanation as to why we don't really enjoy their company. But I will continue...because, after all, we are comparing here.

We'll start with BYU. The mass of high schoolers on BYU's campus can be seen from May through August. These kids run around shouting obnoxious songs and playing ridiculous games. They flirt unashamedly with each other. The boys escort. The girls primp and bat their eyes. It is customary to find a Crush of the Week (affectionately known as a COW), after all, this is where John Bytheway found his eternal companion. And who knows, maybe these 14 to 18 year old kids are finding their's too. This wonderful program is Especially For Youth.As outrageously annoying these beaming youth are, the adolescents that plague SUU's campus are far worse. They are the High School Shakespeare Competition, which, I think, can be adequately portrayed in the accurate diagram below:Basically, the horror of the second weekend in October on SUU's campus is created by a Shakespeare/Drama/Theater/Singing/Acting crowd. (oh, the horror!)

I know.

What could be worse?

I can't think of anything.

These kids run around campus screaming lines from Macbeth and Hamlet. They stand in front of the doors to the General Classrooms Building acting out scenes from Othello and As You Like It. They scream. They yell. They laugh far too boisterously. They swear, thinking they are so awesome. They wear these horrendous costumes that Shakespeare himself would scoff at. They walk in huge groups making it impossible to pass their slooooow gaits. They are the epitome of annoying. To them, the world is a stage and all the non-drama folks are clearly the audience, despite the dirty looks they are getting.

Yeah. It is painful. So this is one situation in which BYU wins. Hands down, BYU's experience of High Schoolers is much more pleasant and much more bearable.